Germany’s expected goals (xG) was the highest among the teams in the initial group before the last game day of the group stage.
Ten goals!
That’s how many times Germany should have scored as expected in the three matches of the opening group. It is clear that Germany underperformed in many areas in Qatar, but especially in scoring, if the xG statistics are to be believed.
Germany scored six goals in the opening group, which means they missed the expected goal by four hits. Four hits came in the final game against Costa Rica.
Wild xG didn’t help Germany further. EPA/AOP
In the opening match against Japan, which proved to be fateful, Germany’s expected goals differ significantly from the realized goals. According to Fotmobi’s statistics, Germany’s expected goals or xG in the match was more than three, but after the match the goal column showed only one.
Japan did defend closely and the team is known to have a huge work ethic. According to statistics, Germany should still have been able to do better.
For example, someone working for Opta Ollie Hopkins pointed out on Twitter.
France is second in the statistics
After Germany, the world champion France, who dominates before Friday’s matches, has created the most quality scoring chances in the opening group. Le Bleus have a combined xG of 7.4.
Germany’s goal expectation is therefore significantly higher when you also take into account Argentina, which is third in the statistics, whose corresponding reading is 6.3.
In data analysis, xG has been one of the most used and trendiest metrics in recent years when it comes to team performance in matches. Statistics do not make anyone happy, as we saw just now. Only the goals that went into the net are counted.